Naresh Agrawal's comments on Jaya Bachchan was widely criticised and he expressed regret for referring to the actor-politician as "someone who used to dance in films".

Jaya Bachchan told reporters that she is a stubborn lady and will not answer to the remarks

New Delhi:

Highlights

"I am a stubborn lady. I will not answer," Jaya Bachchan said

Naresh Agrawal, who quit Samajwadi Party, had targeted Mrs Bachchan

Union minister Sushma Swaraj also condemned Mr Agrawal's remarks

Jaya Bachchan on Tuesday refused to rise to the bait when asked to react to former Samajwadi Party colleague Naresh Agrawal's widely-condemned comments describing her as "someone who used to dance in films". The actor-politician said to reporters: "I am a stubborn lady. I will not answer."

Naresh Agrawal, who quit the Samajwadi Party and joined the BJP after being denied a chance to contest the Rajya Sabha election, targeted Jaya Bachchan on Monday at a press conference where his move to the BJP was announced.

Seething with resentment over being passed over in the race for the upper house of parliament, Mr Agrawal said: "For somebody who used to dance in films, act in films, I was denied a ticket (for Rajya Sabha). I did not find it appropriate."

The Samajwadi Party, which has the numbers to win only one Rajya Sabha seat from Uttar Pradesh, chose Jaya Bachchan, 69, over Mr Agrawal this time.

Criticised by political parties across the board and lacerated on social media for his barb at Jaya Bachchan, Mr Agrawal on Tuesday expressed "regret" for the comment. "If anyone was hurt by my comments, then I express regret," he told reporters. Asked whether he was apologising, the politician shot back, "Do you understand the meaning of khed (regret)?"

Naresh Agrawal's remarks in parliament mocking Hindu gods had also sparked an uproar last year

He was sharply criticised even within the party he was just welcomed into with fanfare. Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted her strong disapproval: "Naresh Agrawal has joined BJP. He is welcome. However, his comments regarding Jaya Bachhan ji are improper and unacceptable."

Anil Vij, a Haryana minister, remarked that Mr Agrawal "has not got over the culture of his previous party. He will take some time to adapt to our party's culture."

A compulsive party hopper, Mr Agrawal started his political journey with the Congress and was part of successive BJP governments in UP in the 1990s. He debuted in the Rajya Sabha when he switched to Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Later he went to the Samajwadi Party and served a full term as its Rajya Sabha member.